An international distress frequency is a radio frequency that is designated for emergency communication by international agreement.

History

For much of the 20th century, 500 kHz was the primary international distress frequency. Its use has been phased out in favor of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. Use of some distress frequencies is permitted for calling other stations to establish contact, whereupon the stations move to another frequency. Such channels are known as distress, safety and calling frequencies. Satellite processing from all 121.5 or 243 MHz locators has been discontinued. Since February 1, 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard only monitors distress signals from emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) that broadcast using digital 406 MHz signals. Digital 406 MHz models became the only ones approved for use in both commercial and recreational watercraft worldwide on January 1, 2007.

Maritime Mobile Service frequencies

International distress frequencies, currently in use are:

Digital selective calling frequencies

Several maritime frequencies are used for digital selective calling (DSC), and they are also monitored for DSC distress signals:

Aeronautical frequencies

Search And Rescue frequencies

Amateur radio frequencies

VHF, UHF calling frequencies can also be used to make emergency calls

MF and HF frequencies

Other frequencies